Following an exciting regional selection round on Tuesday 4 September, Balk Shipyard has been chosen as one of the finalists for the prestigious ‘Family Award’ in Holland. This top national prize is awarded by the Dutch Centre for Family Business (Centrum van het Familiebedrijf).

Luxury Charter Yacht LARS built by Balk Shipyard

Balk Shipyard can trace its history back to 1764, when it was founded in the town of Elburg in the north of the Netherlands. The company moved to the island of Urk in 2004 as part of a major expansion process and the yard is currently run by the seventh generation of the Balk family, Daan Balk. Other members of the family can be found throughout the company, both at management level and in the production and office departments.

The yard’s focus on international trade and its honorary royal title, bestowed by the Queen of the Netherlands on companies that are especially distinguished within their field, have both been noted as positive arguments for Balk Shipyard by the Centre for Family Business jury.

Balk Shipyard and the other nominated companies will be judged by a jury of professionals during the national finals on 5 October. “This countrywide selection round will include four companies from each region and we would consider it a great honour to win the award,” comments Daan Balk. “Family ties play a great role in this shipyard and the community in which we work, where generations of craftsmen have built and refitted vessels from around the world.”